Orthodox rabbis see John 10 as a problematic text

Orthodox rabbis see John 10 as a problematic text, as they believe Jesus is misappropriating the Jewish Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) and its symbolism. Rabbis argue that Hanukkah is a celebration of the Maccabees' victory over the Seleucid empire and the rededication of the Temple, and that Jesus' claims to be the "good shepherd" and the "gate" are a distortion of this tradition.

In John 10, Jesus attends the Feast of Dedication and proclaims, "I am the good shepherd...I am the gate" (John 10:11, 9). Orthodox rabbis reject this interpretation, believing that Jesus is replacing the traditional symbols of Hanukkah (the menorah, the dreidel, and the Temple) with himself, and claiming a divine role that is not his to take.

In contrast, Christians see John 10 as a pivotal text that establishes Jesus' identity as the fulfillment of the Feast of Dedication. They interpret Jesus' statements as a reference to his role as the ultimate shepherd and gate, providing spiritual guidance and access to God.

Christian interpreters often see the Feast of Dedication as a type or foreshadowing of Jesus' ministry, arguing that the festival's themes of light, redemption, and dedication are fulfilled in Jesus. They believe that Jesus is the ultimate Temple and the ultimate light, providing a permanent and eternal dwelling with God.

Orthodox rabbis, however, reject this Christian interpretation, arguing that it is a misreading of Jewish scripture and tradition. They emphasize that Hanukkah is a historical festival that commemorates the Maccabees' victory and the rededication of the Temple, not a symbolic event pointing to Jesus.

In conclusion, Orthodox rabbis and Christians have fundamentally different interpretations of John 10. While rabbis see Jesus as misappropriating the Feast of Dedication and its symbolism, Christians see him as fulfilling the festival and providing eternal spiritual guidance and access to God. These differing interpretations reflect deeper theological and hermeneutical differences between Judaism and Christianity.